Medical Herbalism

Herbal Medicine is the earliest form of medicine, using plant remedies in the treatment of disease. The plants work by rebalancing disturbed body functions, stimulating the body to heal itself, rather than treating symptoms alone.

Herbal medicine is much more balanced than pharmaceutical drugs based on isolated active ingredients – and is therefore far less likely to cause side effects. In qualified hands they are safe, gentle and suitable for everyone.

Treatment tailored to you

Each prescription is tailor-made for each patient, based on their medical history and presenting complaint.

For example, the symptoms of the menopause are very amenable to herbs and there is no "one herb fits all" to treat the hot flushes, night sweats and general feeling of being run-down that are commonly seen. Combinations of various herbs with their different tonic and calming properties make them of particular value at this stage of a woman's life. I have found many women respond very well to herbs as a good alternative to HRT.

Good digestion is central to good health: herbal medicine is excellent at treating problems with the digestive system, such as in the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Many of my patients have benefited from the combined therapeutic effects of herbs and dietary changes.

Food intolerance testing has played an important role in identifying the offending foods in IBS and on elimination many of the symptoms either disappear or have been considerably reduced.

Is your diet making you ill?

Food intolerance testing is also available at this practice. A small blood sample is tested against a wide range of food types at a nationally recognised laboratory. The results can prove or disprove any intolerance to these foods. The implications of the results will be explained to you with specific dietary advice, if appropriate.

Herbal medicine can successfully treat many medical complaints including:

Skin: acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis

Digestive system: peptic ulcers, IBS, colitis and indigestion

Nervous system: insomnia, depression, stress and anxiety

Circulatory system: angina, high blood pressure, poor circulation and varicose veins

Immune system: chronic fatigue syndrome, allergies and intolerances

Respiratory system: bronchitis, asthma and sinusitis

Urinary system: irritable bladder, cystitis and prostate problems

Reproductive system: PMS, menopausal problems, polycystic ovary syndrome

Muscles and joints: arthritis, gout and rheumatism